Resolution makes for an extraordinary instance of a local government asking the Legislature not to send money its way

The Jefferson Performing Arts Center, the budget-busting, schedule-shredding colossus on Airline Drive in Metairie, would be denied state construction money next year under a new proposal from Parish Councilman Chris Roberts. His resolution makes for an extraordinary instance of a local government asking the Legislature not to send money its way.

The arts center's price tag has grown from $26.5 million when construction began in 2007 to $47.3 million, most of it state money. The original completion target of early 2009 is a distant memory, and the costs are still climbing.

As a result, Roberts said, the project is sapping Jefferson Parish's political capital in Baton Rouge. He said he has heard talk that the parish's legislative lobbyist is asking state lawmakers about the possibility of seeking several more million dollars in Louisiana's 2013 construction budget.

"We've delayed on funding other things," Roberts said Monday, citing repairs to the tunnel under the Harvey Canal and the Fourth Street bridge over it. "Other things are being neglected. There comes a point in time when you can't have this as the only project to receive money out of Baton Rouge."

Roberts said he will offer his resolution at Wednesday's Parish Council meeting. It would ask Jefferson's legislative delegation "to oppose any appropriations of state capital outlay dollars to the Jefferson Performing Arts Center in the 2013 regular session of the state Legislature."

Parish President John Young did not immediately return a call and email message for comment.

Clearly the project has worried legislators. In the 2012 session, with the total price tag having ballooned to $44.7 million, the Young administration lobbied for another $8.2 million but came away with only $2.6 million. Sen. John Alario, R-Westwego, the dean of the Legislature, said it was one of the toughest teeth to pull in Baton Rouge.

Roberts said that if the Legislature zeros the arts center, "the administration needs to come up with an alternative funding source." He suggested borrowing money, guaranteeing payback with revenue from two property taxes, for recreation and economic development.